"Me draw?"

"Mhm, I’m not great at designing male characters. Phantom Sir, you can just base it on yourself."

Hearing Luo Xianxue’s eager tone, Chen Mo knew exactly what she meant. He might be slow in some areas, but he wasn’t emotionally clueless.

It was like online dating—they’d only met one-sidedly. Her curiosity was natural. Didn’t people idealize others in internet romances too?

Anyway, it was a simulated life. Even if Luo Xianxue asked his real name, Chen Mo would’ve told her.

But he’d gotten used to "Phantom Sir" and couldn’t be bothered to change it.

He agreed. "Alright, I’ll set it up."

Using his own height and weight, Chen Mo sketched a simple design. For the character art, he drew an ordinary-looking guy—plain compared to Luo Xianxue’s heroine. His personality and hobbies weren’t standout either.

This was how Chen Mo saw himself: an average reincarnator.

But anime-style characters came with a built-in beauty filter. Even aiming for ordinary, his sketch had sharp features and artfully messy bangs. He looked decently handsome.

It was just a draft, so Chen Mo didn’t overdo it.

Luo Xianxue studied his data, her voice flat. "A bit plain?"

Chen Mo instinctively replied, "I’m just an ordinary person."

"But Phantom Sir, aren’t you a ghost?"

"Uh, this is my pre-death look. I turned ghost after dying."

"Huh? How did you die?"

"Hit by a baby bus."

Luo Xianxue: "???"

Chen Mo added, "Our art styles don’t match. You’ll need to tweak it later. Ask me about the plot anytime."

"I’ve got plot ideas already! Just wait, Phantom Sir!"

"Yeah, yeah. Got it, future great artist."

After a few dismissive replies, three knocks sounded on the door.

"Come in." Chen Mo set down his pen and faced the entrance.

Li Yansheng entered slowly, eyes scanning Chen Mo with quiet scrutiny. "Lady, the second young master invites you to his birthday party the day after tomorrow evening. Shall I accept?"

Rumors said the Lady had two modes: icy and gentle. It seemed true.

Mansion staff had noticed Luo Xianxue changing. She was mostly gentle now, more independent than before—but sometimes turned aloof. Even her posture and speech shifted.

Li Yansheng had met her once post-interview. Back then, she’d been kitten-soft, easy to bully.

But now...

He couldn’t meet her eyes. Her mere presence felt suffocating.

Especially with Chen Mo silently scrolling his phone, thickening the tension.

(Chen Mo was actually texting Luo Xianxue mentally.)

"If you’re free that night, Phantom Sir, you can come too. Or decline if busy," Luo Xianxue messaged. Her choice hinged on him.

Chen Mo asked, "Do *you* want to go?"

"No." Her reply was instant.

"And if it were the usual you? Would you refuse?"

"...No." Her voice weakened. As expected—she’d never say no.

The party would only breed trouble.

Truthfully, this was Luo Xianxue’s rare "freedom." Her world was the Mansion and school. School meant nothing to her.

Chen Mo had tested it: even as the young lady, she couldn’t leave without her father’s permission.

This birthday party was her escape chance.

Ignoring both Luo Xianxue and Li Yansheng, Chen Mo queried the system: "With that body’s recovery reward—can Little Ash wake within two days?"

If Little Ash woke, Chen Mo wanted to focus there. He craved the task rewards.

He also wondered about the aftermath: kept by Yun Song? Abandoned? Or passing like strangers?

The system replied instantly:

[This system serves the host. No reward will ever cheat you.]

So Little Ash *would* wake soon.

Chen Mo turned to Li Yansheng. "Accept. I’ll attend. Arrange it."

He’d go—not for the party, but to take Luo Xianxue out.

She yearned for the outside world yet shrank from it alone.

But with a "ghost" beside her? She wouldn’t be alone.

Li Yansheng nodded. "Understood, Lady."

"New bodyguards hired lately?" Chen Mo asked abruptly.

"Yes."

The Mansion hired staff in batches. Old maids left; their bodyguards did too.

"Assign the new ones for this outing."

Li Yansheng froze. Confusion flickered in his eyes, then disbelief—finally, sharp realization. Shock flooded his face. "I understand, Lady."

"One more thing, Lady," he added. "Your weekly maid is sick. Zheng Yu replaces her—directly assigned by the Head Maid. Be cautious."

Chen Mo frowned. The Head Maid’s ill intent was obvious. But why warn *him*?

A new butler overstepping to caution the young lady about a maid?

Chen Mo puzzled—then snapped to clarity.

Never think like a normal person here.

This was a tycoon’s household.